A
The year 2019 saw the deaths of people who changed culture through art, politics and tireless hard work.It also witnessed tragedy, in talent struck down in its youth.
Elijah E. Cummings
In 2019, the United States lost a major civil rights leader. Elijah E. Cummings was born the son of a poor farmer. A school official once told young Cummings he would never become a lawyer because he was too slow to learn and spoke poorly. He refused to believe that. Cummings not only gained an education in law, but went on to become an influential congressman and champion of civil rights. Cummings died in October. He was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1996.
Toni Morrison
The death of writer Toni Morrison in August left a huge hole in the publishing world. The 88yearold was a leader of modern American literature. She was also seen as an artistic guide to many young writers. Morrison wrote books that explored the inhumanity of racism and other discrimination. In 1993, she became the first black woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature. In 2012, she was awarded one of the country's highest civilian honors, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Her most famous books include TheBluestEye, Beloved and AMercy.
Alexei Leonov
Among those in the scientific world who died in 2019 was a cosmonaut Alexei Leonov, the first person to walk in space. Leonov, who died in October, stepped out of a spaceship in 1965 and spent 12 minutes floating above Earth.He later described how he saw the stars that day: “They were everywhere，” he said, “up above, down below, to the left, to the right. I can still hear my breath and my heartbeat in that silence.”
Wallace Smith Broecker
American Scientist Wallace Smith Broecker, died in February. Broecker brought “global warming” into common use with a 1975 report that predicted rising carbon dioxide levels would lead to the warming of the planet. He was among the first people to warn about the dangers of climate change.
1. According to the passage, who was the first to die in the four figures?
A. Elijah E. Cummings.
B. Toni Morrison.
C. Alexei Leonov.
D. Wallace Smith Broecker.
2. Which of the following word can best describe Elijah E. Cummings?
A. Selfcentred. B. Confident.
C. Modest. D. Stubborn.
3. What did Wallace Smith Broecker and Alexei Leonov have in common?
A. They both made achievements in science.
B. They both came from a poor family.
C. They both won the highest civilian honor.
D. They were both influential in politics.
【答案】1. D 2. B 3. A
【解析】
【分析】这是一篇说明文。文章介绍了在2019年离开我们的政治家、文学家和科学家等人物。
【1题详解】
细节理解题。根据Elijah E. Cummings中“Cummings died in October. (Cummings于10月去世。)”，根据Toni Morrison中“The death of writer Toni Morrison in August left a huge hole in the publishing world. (作家Toni Morrison今年8月去世，给出版界留下了一个巨大的窟窿。)”，根据Alexei Leonov中“Leonov, who died in October …(Leonov，10月去世......)”，根据Wallace Smith Broecker中“American Scientist Wallace Smith Broecker, died in February. (美国科学家Wallace Smith Broecker于2月去世。)”可知，在这四个人物中Wallace Smith Broecker是第一个去世的。故选D项。
【2题详解】
推理判断题。根据Elijah E. Cummings中“A school official once told young Cummings he would never become a lawyer because he was too slow to learn and spoke poorly. He refused to believe that. (一位学校官员曾经告诉年轻的Cummings，他永远不会成为一名律师，因为他学习太慢，而且说话也很差。他拒绝相信这一点。)”可知，Elijah E. Cummings是一个自信的人。故选B项。
【3题详解】
细节理解题。根据Alexei Leonov中“Among those in the scientific world who died in 2019 was a cosmonaut, Alexei Leonov, the first person to walk in space. (科学界在2019年去世的人中有宇航员Alexei Leonov，他是第一个在太空行走的人。)”和Wallace Smith Broecker中“American Scientist Wallace Smith Broecker, died in February. (美国科学家Wallace Smith Broecker于今年2月去世。)”可知，Wallace Smith Broecker和Alexei Leonov共同点是他们两人都在科学上取得了成就。故选A项。
